Poppy Appeal and Remembrance events in Rutland
Poppy Appeal events in Rutland are getting underway with a Festival of Remembrance.
Taking place on Friday (November 7) at Rutland Hall Hotel Pavilion, Barnsdale, the festival has been organised by the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness.
There is a reception at 6.30pm and the concert begins at 7.30pm, featuring music and reflection, including performances from Rutland’s secondary schools and The Cottesmore Military Wives Choir.
All profits will be donated to the Rutland Branch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Tickets can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/RutlandRemembers2025
From 7.30pm on Saturday (November 8), All Saints’ Church in Church Street, Oakham will host the Rutland Concert Band’s Music for Remembrance event, with a guest appearance by award-winning soprano Katie Marshall.
Proceeds will be donated to the Poppy Appeal and tickets are £5 on the door.
On Sunday (November 9), Rutland’s public service of Remembrance take place at 2.30pm in All Saints’ Church, Oakham. At 2pm, members of the armed forces, veterans, cadets, scouts, guides and voluntary organisations will parade from Oakham Castle along High Street to the church. The church service will conclude with wreath-laying.
At 10.50am on Armistice Day (Tuesday, November 11) there will be a short service of Remembrance in the grounds of Oakham Castle with a minute’s silence at 11am.
The public service will be conducted by Venerable John Ellis CB, former chaplain-in-chief to the Royal Air Force, and military units and veterans will be present.
Rutland County Council’s armed forces champion, Coun David Wilby, said: “I hope that many of you can support this year’s Poppy Appeal and attend some of the events taking place in Rutland to recognise the huge sacrifices made by so many during wars and conflicts on our behalf.”
Dr Furness added “Remembrance is particularly important in our county, with its large serving military population and large military veteran population. Our events will be a fitting tribute to all those who have and continue to serve our country and keep us secure.”
Rutland is home to two army bases and a wider community of serving personnel, alongside reservists, veterans, and military families. One in five of the county’s population has a personal or family connection to the armed forces.